Shelf support



June 17, 1941. i A. VANDERVELD Filed July 31', 1940 YWIG wa n Anrho Patented June 17, 1941 Anthony Vanderveld, Grand Rapids, Mich., as- I signor to Grand Rapids Store Equipment Come pany, .Grand Michigan Rapids, Mich, a ccrpora tionof Applause July $1, 1940, Serial No. 348,752

a aciaim (o1;248 243) This invention relates to a novel construction of support adapted to be used in store-furniture generally of the character disclosed in PatentNo. 2,208,237., issued July 16, 1940 It is an object and purpose of this invention to provide a practical, strong, durable and emcient construction of novel form for the adjustable support of shelves and other furniture elements in store furniture such as shelving, display cabinets and show cases. It is a primary object of the invention to provide a particularly simple and economical construction of supporting structure on which accessory supporting ele ments may be adjustably mounted, and which may be substantially wholly disguised and not project outwardly from the sides of posts or ends of show cases and display cabinets, presenting an attractive appearance and providing a very practical and useful supporting structure.

An understanding of the invention may be had from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through a post or end of a show case or cabinet showing the supporting structure in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modification in structure.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a horizontal section through Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a still further slightly modified form of metal supporting member which may be used.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the various figures of the drawing.

The main supporting member I, which may be of wood or equivalent material, is a vertical end of a show case or display cabinet or a vertical post used in a shelving structure. In the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the post or case or cabinet end is provided with a vertical slot cut inwardly from one side. In show case and cabinet constructions a plurality of such Vertical slots will be made in each end of the case or cabinet spaced from each other as disclosed in the patent which previous reference has been made.

Two side members 2 of thin metal located in such vertical slot are spaced a short distance from each other and have located between them at their inner portions a fiat metal member 3 which extends vertically the full height of the members 2 and is permanently secured therewith, for example, by spot welding or any other similar permanent means of connection. The metal member 3 is located in the rear portion of the space or slot between the spaced apart me- 'tallic sides 2. At its outer portionsit'is formed with a vertical serieso-f spaced apart downwardly extending hooks 4 behind the depending portion of each of which is an upwardly extending recess 5, such recesses opening at their lowerforward'por'tions between the lower end of onehook "and the upper end of the'hook next "below, as in Figjl.

Such construction presents at the side of the post or end of the display case in which it is mounted, a narrow open slot between the sides 2, the hooks 4 being located back of the open portion of such slot.

This supporting structure is designed and adapted to have adjustably connected therewith various types of supporting devices one of which, as an example, is disclosed as a shelf carrying bracket, a plurality of which may be used in a shelving construction. The bracket is made from a single piece of flat metal formed with .a vertical section 6 at the inner end of which it is continued upwardly in a finger I, said section 6 and finger 1 thereof being insertible between two of the hooks 4 with the finger received in a recess 5 back of the depending portion of the hook next above it. The section 6 is provided with a lower extension 8 which bears against the front edge of the next lowermost hook 4 as shown in Fig. 1. Said section 6 is of a dimension such that it extends to the entrance into the slot between the plates 2 and is provided with a laterally turned vertical section 9, which may bear against the adjacent side of the post or end of the cabinet or case, and which at its upper edge is provided with an integral outwardly turned substantially horizontal ledge l0 upon which an end of a shelf may be placed for support.

In Fig. 3 the side plates 2 of sheet metal are eliminated and the vertical slot which receives the member 3 is narrowed in width so as to be wide enough only that said member 3 may be received therein. Such member 3 may be secured in place in difierent ways. For example, in Fig. 3, integral studs ll extend therefrom through the part i fromthe bottom of the vertical slot in which member 3 is located to the outer side thereof and are equipped with retaining nuts l2. Instead of the threaded studs ll, prongs or brads I3 integral with the memher 3 may extend from the same inner edge thereof and be driven into the wood member I. This secures the member 3 against displacement and holds it in secure relation to the main supporting member I. The shelf carrying brackets or other supporting accessories which may be used with this support are detachably connected in the same manner as previously described.

Many variations in the detail and form of the detachable and adjustable supporting accessories used may be resorted to, for example, as disclosed in the Patent No. 2,208,237. All, however, will be provided with a vertical section 6, finger 5 and preferably with the lower extension 8 thereto so as to properly engage with the metal plate member 3.

With this construction, particularly the construction illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the vertical slots cut to receive the members 3 are narrow, usually in practice approximating 1 s of an inch in width. The connection and disconnection of these shelf supporting brackets or other supporting accessories is quickly and easily per formed so that adjustment of shelving or the arrangement and rearrangement of show cases and cabinets can be very quickly and easily done without tools and the employment of skilled labor. The sides of theslots into which parts 6 are inserted, whether the sheet metal members 2 or the sides of the member I reinforce and hold the vertical sections 6 against distortion or buckling whereby ample strength and reinforcement is provided to sustain any weight to which said supporting accessories may be subjected in use. The construction is particularly simple, practical and effective. All structures coming within the scope of the claims appending hereto will be comprehended by my invention.

I claim:

1. In a construction of the class described, a vertical supporting member having a vertical slot cut therein from one side of the member, said slot having a depth greatly in excess of its width, a flat metal member located within said slot with one vertical edge thereof facing outwardly and the other inwardly, a plurality of spaced apart downwardly extending hooks on the outer edge of said metal member, and means on the inner edge of the metal member to secure it to said supporting member.

2. The combination of elements defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes threaded studs integral with said metal member extending through the supporting member from said inner edge, and a retaining nut thereon.

3. The combination of elements defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes prongs adapted to be driven into said supporting member. v

ANTHONY VANDERVELD. 

